covencraft 04 - dry spells (4 page)

“This is madness,” Paris replied. “You cannot expect anything of her.”

“It must be done.” Sakkara did the same kind of pointing thing with her finger that Paris sometimes did, tapping the table in emphasis as she spoke.

Paris blinked in shock. “I cannot believe you’ve come here under the expectation that simply your will holds any weight with us.”

“My mistress is very powerful, dear. She cannot be denied.”

“Your demon mistress, you mean.” Paris shook his head. “You are supposed to be dead and now you’ve… appeared demanding favors to be done. My whole life you cautioned me against demon magic, warned me of the consequences-“

“And I was right to do,” Sakkara interrupted. “You’ve no idea of what they are capable.”

“But apparently you do!”

Jade winced as Paris yelled, his voice loud in the small kitchen. It was like someone had taken a rusty fork and scraped it down the surface of her grey matter, each tine catching on the cauliflower folds of her brain. Her stomach rolled and she lurched slightly as she heaved. She was wrong, she wasn’t fine. Her migraine was taking over and she was trapped in the kitchen with Paris, his un-dead mother, and Seth locked behind the pantry door. She breathed in slowly and let it out on a long exhale. The kitchen wobbled as strange halos continued to cross across her vision. Lily’s hand came up from her back to rest on her shoulder, her fingers pressing into the flesh, grounding Jade. The room wasn’t as topsy-turvy under Lily’s hand. Bruce huffed.

“Yes, I do!” Sakkara yelled back, her voice louder and sharper than Paris’. Under the table, Bruce pushed himself to his feet and slunk out of the kitchen, tossing a glance behind his shoulder as if to say, ‘you coming?’

Let’s get out of here.

Lily’s thoughts felt like a cool wave over Jade’s mind. She wanted to get up and leave, but she felt like if she did, she was abandoning Paris.

It’s not abandonment. He’ll understand.

Jade shook her head minutely against Lily’s words.
I can’t just leave him with her.

“I guess you’re right, you would know more about demons than me since you’ve been working for one for years. Perhaps even before you left the Coven.”

Jade didn’t know Paris could be that sarcastic. He was always so rational and careful. But she guessed when your mother came back from the dead, you were allowed to be derisive.

“Don’t take that tone with me.”

Okay, so clearly, Sakkara didn’t feel the same way and had an issue with Paris’ cutting tone.

“I am Coven Leader and have been since our last Coven Leader ‘died,’” Paris spat the word out along with a flick of power. His magic slapped into Jade’s migraine and made her stomach roll again. “And now a demon dealing witch has come into my Coven and has demanded a favor of one of my witches. I shall take any tone I like.”

Sakkara drew herself up in her chair, her back going ramrod straight. “There are forces in play beyond your knowledge.”

Another hot poker of pain shot through Jade’s head accompanied by more nausea. Lily must have known what was going to happen a split second before Jade did, because she pushed back from the table with a loud thud and leapt for a pot on the stove, grabbing it and putting it under Jade’s face just in time for Jade to vomit into it.

God, if having a migraine was bad, vomiting during one was
worse
. It made the pressure increase in her skull, made all her arteries and veins throb like her heart was a giant bass drum, sending a shock wave through her body with every beat. The pain increased impossibly and she retched again, nothing but bile and spit coming up. Her eyes watered, her nose ran. Jade felt like she was leaking from every part of her skull, but it all hurt so much and she just didn’t
care
.

It sounded like everyone was talking at once - Lily, Sakkara and Paris - while Jade cradled the sauce pot close to her, holding it like a baby or prized possession. She just wanted everyone to leave, she wanted to turn off all the lights and crawl under the table and be left to her misery. Sparks flashed around her and she didn’t know if it was her migraine or if she really did see light bulbs exploding. There were more loud voices and then Lily was tipping Jade’s head back while Paris was knelt in front of her. He was asking if she trusted him and she wanted to nod, but it made her head hurt too much. She could hear Lily’s voice and then Paris pushed something in her mouth. It tasted like spices and herbs and then his fingers were running over her forehead. They were warm and dry, tracing something across her skin. He cradled her skull and she felt a strong wave of his magic rush over her - cold mint and cedar chips.

“Look at me.”

Jade had been staring at the pot, wondering if whatever Paris made her swallow was going to come back up. At his command, she raised her eyes and met his. They were always so blue. Blue like the sky, like something cold, like something exotic.

“Sleep.”

The word hit her along with another wave of his magic and she felt like she was sliding down a long dark tunnel. She’d never been so glad to fall unconscious in her life.

#

Jade collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, falling forward in her seat toward Paris. Catching her limp form was no easy feat, but between himself and Lily, they managed to keep Jade from breaking her nose or front teeth on the table.

“Let’s get her stretched out on the sofa,” Lily said and he nodded. She helped him get Jade up and from there, he was able to heft her into his arms, carrying her through the doorway to the living room. Bruce was already stretched out in front of the fireplace, looking a sickly shade of grey-green instead of his normal happy lime-green color. Bruce’s pink tongue lolled out of his mouth, its forked end touching the floor. Jesus, Paris hoped they weren’t dying - for her familiar to look so awful, Jade must have been quite ill herself. He set Jade down on the sofa while Lily got a pillow for her head and a small afghan from the back of the sofa to drape over her. Paris immediately pulled out his phone and started scrolling for Dr. Gellar’s number.

“Who are you calling?” his mother asked.

“Dr. Gellar. She’s the medical support at our Coven now.”

“You’ve only knocked her out with sleeping potion. She’ll be fine.”

Paris could see his incredulous expression mirrored on Lily’s face.

“Did you miss the part where she vomited?” Lily asked, sarcasm coloring her words. “I can go get the pot, if you need a reminder.”

“Of course not,” Sakkara answered. “But she’s asleep now and won’t wake up for hours.” She turned to Paris. “If she wakes up today at all. You used too much cardamom, dear.”

Paris knew he stood there with his mouth slightly open in outrage, but couldn’t fathom where to begin with that statement.

“Jesus, if I didn’t already wish you were still dead, I think that might have done it,” Lily said, going over to the fireplace and hunkering down next to Bruce. His tail thumped once as she crouched next to him and rested her hand on his pale white belly. “Not feeling good either, hey?” she asked. She pet his scales a few times. “We’ll get you both sorted, don’t worry.”

Staring at his mother while he dialed, Paris didn’t know how to classify his reaction to her return from the supposed dead. Was he surprised? Of course. In all the years since her ‘death’ when he thought of having one more chance to speak with her, he never imagined he’d get his wish. Though he’d never wish for anything again if this is how it felt to have wishes granted.

“He’s sick because Jade is ill,” Sakkara said to Lily, unhelpfully.

Lily’s jaw worked as she stared at Sakkara. At times, it was only the color of their eyes that distinguished them from each other. Their mannerisms were so similar. “Yeah, I know.” Lily’s tone dripped with disdain.

“I wasn’t sure if you knew about familiars or not. Is it because Jade knows? Did you pull that information from her mind, or did you gather it yourself?”

Paris tuned out their conversation as Dr. Gellar picked up her line. He relayed the details of Jade’s condition to her quickly, feeling something unclench in his stomach when she promised to come straight away. After speaking with her, he moved closer to where Lily and his mother were speaking. He’d missed Lily’s reply to Sakkara’s question, coming back to their conversation only as his mother spoke again.

“You clearly don’t feel the actual pain of the migraines yourself. Do you get any kind of sensation from them?”

Lily stared at her and then looked to Paris. “Your mother’s nosy. It’s rude.”

Sakkara signed, annoyance clear in the sound. “This is a very unique situation. Having all the information I can will help me determine how plausible it is for Jade to face the Gorgon. I should think you’d want to help her.”

Lily opened her mouth and Paris recognized the look on her face - it was the same one Jade wore when she was about to lose her temper. It was strange seeing it on Lily - it was a perfect replica, yet he knew they were two separate people.

“Mother,” Paris said, the word feeling strange and unfamiliar as it feel from his lips. “You’re not helping.”

Sakkara, his mother (he couldn’t help but continue to turn the word over in his brain), turned to him. “As I said, the more information, the better.”

“Okay,” Lily said, clapping her hands together. “You should leave now.”

“I beg your pardon?” Sakkara said, incredulous.

“And frankly, you totally should,” continued Lily, the words making Sakkara frown. “My pardon is the least of things you should be begging. So!” Lily clapped again. “We’ve heard your proposal, we’ll discuss, and don’t call us, we’ll call you.” She made a sweeping gesture toward the door, raising her eyebrows expectantly.

Sakkara turned to Paris. “I’m afraid I don’t understand. Is she not all together there?” She made a swirling motion around her temple that clearly indicated she thought Lily was mad.

Lily rolled her eyes. “Oh my god.” She turned to Paris. “If you won’t make her leave, I will. And you won’t like how I make her leave. It will involve pushing and shoving.”

“Mother, it’s for the best if you leave, for now, and we’ll continue this discussion at a later date,” Paris said.

Sakkara didn’t move from where she stood. “I require Jade’s commitment for my mistress. I must confirm a timeline.”

“Well, you’ll have to wait seeing as half of the decision-making party,” Lily gestured to Jade, “is unconscious.”

“I will wait.” Sakkara smoothed her palms down her slacks.

“Not here, you won’t.” Lily crossed her arms over her chest, standing tall in front of Jade, like a guardian.

“My dear, there’s nothing you can do to force me to leave. You’ve not the magic for it,” Sakkara said with a smile.

Lily turned back to Paris. “Make it happen, or you can be the one to explain it to Jade when she wakes up.” Lily sat in one of the soft chairs opposite the sofa.

“Mother.” Paris tipped his head toward the entranceway.

“You can’t be serious,” Sakkara intoned.

“Please,” Paris said, keeping his voice neutral.

Sakkara gave a long, tight look to Jade, then Lily and then moved toward the front door.

“Don’t come by without calling first,” Lily said, not looking toward her. “Or at all.”

Paris saw his mother grind her teeth together as she made her way to the front door. Once in the foyer, she stopped, turning to face Paris.

“I’m surprised you would take orders from her.”

“They weren’t orders.”

“It’s unseemly for the Coven Leader to take direction from one of the witches under his command.”

“No one is under my command.”

“Perhaps that’s your mistake then.”

Paris had no idea what to say to that. Silence fell between them like a heavy, wet blanket. He stared at his mother, still unsure if she was really before him or if it was all some strange, horrible nightmare. He had questions for her: what did she do? Where had she been? Why was she involved with demons? Why was she back now? Why did she lie to the Coven? To him?

He didn’t know where to begin. Didn’t know which question to ask first.

She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. He looked down and stared at it for a moment before raising his eyes to hers. They were almost the same as his own. He’d always favored his mother’s coloring both in hair and eyes.

“I know this is difficult for you. But I raised you to be a strong, dedicated leader who will do the best for his Coven. And the best thing right now is that no one knows about me. I fear it would cause too many questions and unrest.” She patted his arm. “I know you understand.”

Paris looked down at her hand on his arm again and then back at her. He nodded once, not sure what else to do.

She smiled - her expression serene and somewhat proud. “I knew I could rely on you. You’ve always known your duty to the Coven.” She paused a moment, taking a breath before continuing. “I hope I can rely on you as well with Jade. Lily too. They may need… encouragement for this task. It would be best coming from you.”

She must have taken his silence for agreement or at the very least, acquiescence, because she gave his arm a slight squeeze and then patted it twice again. “I’ll leave you to it and I’ll see you at home.”

Again, Paris found himself speechless as she turned gracefully and left. It took a moment for her words to sink in. Home. Good lord, she was going back to his house, or her house, he supposed. He’d inherited it upon her death, but now…

“It’s mind-fuck for sure, hey?”

Paris turned and saw Lily standing behind him, just inside the living room. He’d been standing in the foyer after his mother left, his mouth slightly open like a cod fish.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Lily strung her words out, like she wasn’t sure she wanted to say them, but felt like she had to.

He shook his head. He wasn’t sure what he would say.
Yes, that was my presumed dead mother. I thought she died over ten years ago. Car accident. So mundane for such a powerful witch, but now… clearly a ruse. Now, as you’ve heard, she works for a demon and I feel as though everything I’d believed in my entire childhood is a fabrication.